Birthday Love: Alia Bhatt’s most thought-provoking roles

Alia Bhatt is no doubt one of Bollywood’s most favourite actresses. Having shown over and over again how she reaches new heights, audiences know to anticipate some great cinema when it comes to watching her on screen. Not even having hit the 10-year mark in her career, BizAsiaLive.com goes through some of the young star’s most iconic roles so far.

‘Student of the Year’ (2012) – Shanaya SinghaniaAt the tender age of 19, Bhatt became an instant hit as Shanaya Singhania in Karan Johar’s ‘Student of the Year’. Playing a spoilt, rich, college-popular female lead who had all the boys after her, was the perfect launch Johar set for her – in true Dharma Production style. However, the public were soon about to realise that this young star has a lot more to offer than a typical high school kid role. And it was her next role, that elevated what they thought of her in this film.

‘Highway’ (2014) – Veera ThripathiAfter starting with a very cliche role in her debut, there was a huge surprise when Imtiaz Ali signed Bhatt to play the innocent Veera; who falls in love with her kidnapper. She played this character in the rawest and most truthful way. Where many stereotyped her to be a one-character type of actress, Bhatt’s performance in ‘Highway’ came as a pleasant surprise to all, where it has been said that at times during the making of the film Bhatt was acting less and being herself more, especially as the film wasn’t strictly scripted.

‘Udta Punjab’ (2016) – Mary JaneBy the time this role came her way, Bhatt was already a big star who had worn many hats with different characters. After dipping her feet into different genres, here came a film that would, again, change the way audiences saw her. This was a character that was so far from her norm that when her first look came out she was almost unrecognisable. Playing the kidnapped Mary, who was drugged and raped and falls in love with a rock star drug addict, Bhatt was so impressive in this film that her audiences even forgot the character was actually her in the film.

‘Raazi’ (2018) – Sehmat KhanJust when everyone thought Bhatt had shown all she could, Meghna Gulzar signed the actress to play a role hardly ever given to an actress before. In the world of women-centric films, Bhatt played Sehmat – an under-cover RAW agent who is married into a Pakistani family by her father, in order to spy. Sharing the screen with Vicky Kaushal, Bhatt shined brilliantly on screen, getting all her viewers inching towards the edge of their seats. ‘Raazi’ proved that there doesn’t seem to be anything Bhatt can’t do.

‘Gully Boy’ (2019) – Safeena FirdausiIn the world of remakes and adaptations, Zoya Akhtar’s much-awaited ‘Gully Boy’ told a story of a young boy from the slum with a very big dream, who became a part of establishing India’s rap scene. Though Ranveer Singh was the protagonist, it was Bhatt’s performance that got everyone talking. Safeena was passionate, rowdy and extremely confident. Bhatt impressively picked up the dialect with perfection – an area that many may have found extremely difficult to carry off, making her shine through every scene in the film. Bagging her the best actress award for her part, this was definitely one character people would never forget.

As Bhatt turns the tender age of 27, Bhatt seems determined to play strong and memorable characters. Having already got such a versatile filmography, she will be remembered for many more roles to come too. BizAsiaLive.com wishes the actress a very Happy Birthday.